KOLOUR BY KAZ — CX Network

A COVID START UP

Three years ago, we all remember exactly where we were when we received the news that all gigs had been cancelled. We also recall how little work we had. Some of us went out of the industry to find a different job as an ‘essential worker’, others hung around and took what little work was left. Many of us had JobKeeper, and were able to live on our savings until the end. A few people have even retired.

Only a few people had the courage to try their hand at starting a business. Statistics show that 9 out of 10 businesses fail within their first year. This is a very distressing statistic. Add to that the uncertainty and lockdowns in early 2020, and it doesn’t seem like a good time to start your business.

Karen Skillen was a followspot operator when she started in the industry in 2007. Lionel Richie was her first gig. She was unemployed after working in the industry for almost all of her life, until Covid came along.

In response, she created her own job. She printed a few T shirts to sell online and they were a huge success. After researching printers for a while (Covid left many of our spare time), she decided to spend her money and start a T-shirt printing company in a Kennards at Moore Park 3m x 2m storage unit. Kolour by Kaz was created.

Although a majority of the entertainment industry was shut down, Karen’s first T-shirt printing contract was with Marvel for the crew shirts on the film set of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The first printer was installed on the day that printing began. There would be many more contracts for T-shirts for movie crew members, including those that have been signed by Thor, Mad Max, or Planet of the Apes.

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The storage unit was outgrown in less than a month and an even larger space was found and rented. It was a shopfront on Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst. This allowed for public access, allowing people to enter the shop from any street. The shop would remain there for two years. The shop was also outgrown by the business, and the move to Oxford Street was made late last year.

Business has seen a tremendous increase in its success since moving to Oxford Street. The location has allowed for better street visibility, exposure, visibility, and increased foot traffic. Word of mouth has been a major factor in the continued growth of business. Many purchases are made right away by passersby. This is why visibility and location are so important.

Moving to a more desirable area has also brought about an upgrade of the printing equipment. These upgrades have doubled the printing capacity. The store currently has Sublimation, DTG, and DTF printers. This allows for a wide range of printing.

Sublimation printing (also known as dye sublimation) involves the first printing of text or images onto special transfer papers, and then transferring that information to another material (typically polyester, or a mixture thereof). The ink is heated until it dissolves (sublimates).

DTG Printing (Direct to Garment Printing), also known by digital printing, is a relatively new technology that has been in use for around 20 years. This printing technology has changed the fashion industry in a way that no one expected.

DTF Printing (Direct to Film) allows you print a design on film and then transfer it to the desired surface such as fabric. DTF printing is quickly gaining popularity due to its flexibility.

Karen now runs the shop from 9-5, but will also take on additional follow-up work outside of these hours. Three people are now employed by her on a casual basis. Kolour by Kaz specializes in custom printing. There is no minimum order. You can order single custom prints by bringing in your design while you wait. The shop can print almost anything these days, including t-shirts, hoodies and coffee mugs, as well as cushion covers, pillowcases and tea towels.

“Having the entertainment Industry background has been extremely helpful with my business right from the start, and getting movie contracts is a huge bonus,” says Karen. “I’ve also done print jobs for bands and corporate events and the support has been amazing from industry colleagues.”

Karen is still active in the market, but she has no plans to slow down or scale back Kolour by Kaz. The business has seen tremendous growth and is continuing to grow. Her future is bright and full of promise. She recently won a tender for merchandise supply to Sydney World Pride.

www.kolourbykaz.com.au